ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday acknowledged Pakistani cricketer Fatima Sana’s contributions to the international cricket and named her as the Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for “ruling the roost” in 2021. 
Sana, who made her debut against South Africa at Potchefstroom in May 2019, has since come a long way. The 20-year-old cricketer, who is a right-arm medium pacer and a right-handed batter, has taken an impressive 24 wickets from the 16 one-day internationals (ODIs) she has played so far. 
She is the second Pakistani cricketer to be awarded by the ICC for an impressive show last year. Wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan was awarded ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award. 
“Pakistani pacer Fatima Sana impressed one and all with her all-round efforts in 2021,” the ICC said in a statement. “She became an integral part of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I side owing to her wicket-taking ability as a bowler.” 
The ICC also acknowledged Sana’s ability “to add handy runs down the order at the same time.” 
Sana has represented Pakistan in Bangladesh, West Indies, South Africa and Zimbabwe, where she impressed selectors with stellar performances. She took 18 of her 24 ODI wickets against the West Indies alone in July last year. 
“Sana showed a lot of heart against the attacking West Indies batters and succeeded in keeping them at bay,” the ICC noted. 
Reacting to the ICC award, Sana said the “journey has just started.” 
“Allahumdulillah (praise be to God). Honoured, Humbled, overwhelmed. Thank you each and everyone for showing love, support, appreciation & most importantly your duas — need them the most,” she tweeted. 

Her achievement earned her a nod from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja, who also took to Twitter to acknowledge her impressive performance. 
“And another great story today @imfatimasana has won the ICC Women’s emerging cricketer of the year award,” Raja said. “Well done. Plans are afoot for Women’s T20 League in Pakistan Inshallah (God willing).”